Celebrity designers reveal their go-to kitchen design rules

AD spoke to three celebrated designers about what went into creating their stunning kitchens.

The spacious kitchen in Marc Newson’s London home is characterized by an open-plan space with artworks created by his young daughters. The cabinetry, which is covered in a celadon-green shade, conceals the refrigerator and various kitchen appliances. Photo Courtesy: Gonzalo Machado. Production: Bettina Dubcovsky

Designed by Gabriele Centazzo for Valcucine, the Artematica kitchen is easily customizable with water-, heat- and steam-resistant laminates for shutters and inlaid glass doors. The design of the units follows the highest safety standards by incorporating rounded corners and edges. The metal-and-glass counter features a mounted light whose source is inside a carcass, creating a strong visual impact.

Marc Newson

“My favourite memory of my kitchen is breakfast with my kids when they were younger, and seeing their artwork stuck on the units”

Photo Courtesy: Neville Sukhia

A representation of his aesthetic: smooth lines, rounded corners and superior materials—the spacious kitchen in Marc Newson’s London home is characterized by an open-plan space with artworks created by his young daughters. The cabinetry, which is covered in a celadon-green shade, conceals the refrigerator and various kitchen appliances.

Photo: Gonzalo Machado, Production: Bettina Dubcovsky

How did you approach the design for your kitchen? I already knew, instinctively, that I wanted to use marble for the worktops and that the shape of the central island would function well in the kitchen. I knew that I wanted celadon-green lacquered surfaces for the units; it’s a material that I have used successfully before in previous projects.

How did you choose the accessories for your kitchen? Fairly easily, in that I used a hob and oven that I designed for Smeg, the dish doctor I designed for Magis and the kettle and toaster I designed for Sunbeam. The cutlery, the china and the glasses are also my own designs for Alessi, Noritake and Iittala, respectively. Other accessories were chosen simply because they work extremely well, especially the juicer by Green Star.

‘Mikado’ tiles from the Opus Collection by Lithos Design, at Keha Casa

‘Legrabox’ box system by Blum, at Häfele

‘Poetic Garden’ teapot, Arttd’inox

Diesel Open Workshop’ kitchen by Diesel Living, Scavolini

‘Amalfi Full’ range by Del Tongo, at Grandeur

What is the one kitchen tool you can’t do without? A favourite, ridiculously sharp Japanese knife.

What can you whip up better than anyone else? Vegemite soldiers, and I make a mean Thai curry.

Ashiesh Shah

“If you are looking to add a little art to your kitchen, it’s best to stick to pieces that won’t damage easily. Opt for some framed photographs or a sculpture that’s easy to clean.”

The open kitchen in Ashiesh Shah’s Mumbai home was designed as an interactive space overlooking the living room. Featuring a marble-top table, brass-clad cabinets and hidden drawers, the space is Shah’s take on an overarching American-style space.

The Mumbai-based architect’s brass-clad kitchen is a standout space—bright and inviting with an unmissable touch of glamour.

Photo Courtesy: Montse Garriga

How would you describe your kitchen? Since I have an open-plan kitchen, and dining and living spaces, it was very much a part of the design process. The aesthetic of the living room is carried forward in the kitchen.

What’s your favourite memory in this kitchen? Too many to count! The great thing about having an open-plan space is that it really makes entertaining more interactive. I have friends over all the time and I find that people are constantly around the kitchen area, helping themselves to whatever they might need. It makes for a great informal entertainment area and as the host, I never feel like I need to run into the kitchen every few minutes to keep track of what’s going on.

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‘Atira’ drawer system, Hettich

‘Balinese Valencia’ limestone tile, Keramos

‘ZXS 367’ faucet by Zucchetti, at Intersekt

‘CVA 6401’ built-in coffee machine, Miele

‘Minta Touch’ faucet, Grohe

‘AV470’ kitchen, Häcker

‘Marino’ sink, Hindware

‘SBSbs 7263’ refrigerator in black steel, Liebherr

‘Siphon’ Coffee Brewer, KitchenAid

‘400/200 series’ espresso machine by Gaggenau, at PlÜsch living

‘Triangulo’ tiles, Bharat Floorings

What is the one kitchen tool you can’t do without? The oven—I have a serious sweet tooth!

What can you whip up better than anyone else? I do a really fantastic avocado salad.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Originally built in 1924, the house combines the romance of old Hollywood with an authentic Spanish Mediterranean flavour.

Photography by Tim Street-Porter

How did you approach the design for your kitchen? It took about three months. It has been designed to resemble a 1920s Mediterranean-style kitchen, complete with a La Cornue stove and built-in appliances like dishwashers, refrigerator drawers and ovens. The floor is made of reclaimed 19th-century Italian tiles and the walls are plastered in a rough manner to capture the appearance of age and atmosphere.

What’s your favourite memory in this kitchen? It was when the famous chef Wolfgang Puck cooked dinner for us on one of my birthdays.

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‘Moroccan Bone Inlay’ side table, Moonriver

‘Tournant’ faucet, Kohler

‘Artematica’ kitchen by Gabriele Centazzo, Valcucine

‘Zenius3’ espresso machine, Nespresso

‘Portland’ cement finish kitchen, NOLTE

‘P70 Nerissima’ cooking suite, Officine Gullo

‘Work’s Concept’ kitchen by Eggersmann at Plüsch living

‘Plaza Perla’ tile, kajaria

‘Piemont’ cutlery, Villeroy & Boch

‘Classic’ kitchen by SieMatic, at living art interiors

Calce Nero’ Stonelam Laminam stone, Stonex

‘Argilla Latte’ tile, Nitco

What is the one kitchen tool you can’t do without? It has got to be my Nespresso coffee maker, the first thing I reach for in the morning!

What can you whip up better than anyone else? I’m really not the best cook, but I do make an amazing spaghetti bolognaise. My Italian mother’s recipe is now a time-trusted favourite of the family and my friends.